Wolf (the only name she uses) is a traveled, versatile...

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November 14, 1990

Wolf (the only name she uses) is a traveled, versatile artist. She and her partner, Mark Armstrong, have three companies that make jewelry, hats, belts, furniture and accessories. They also run Wolf Pack Tours, a travel service for creative peoplewho like to visit exotic places. She says her work is her life and her life is her work and she addresses everything in life with the same fervor.

How would you describe your taste in clothing?

My taste is extremely eclectic. I view dressing as an art form and I'm always intrigued with putting unusual things together. I like to combine different ethnic cultures. For example, I use fabrics from Japan, Nepal and India in one outfit.

What's the newest thing in your closet?

An Indonesian skirt -- it's turquoise and gold batik with antique coins from Java and a scarab type of beetle batiked on the fabric.

What's the oldest thing in your closet?

A soldier's cape from the Meiji Empire, maybe 1789 and 1850. I got it while I was in Japan and I wear it religiously through the winter. It's a dark blue melton wool bordered with velvet. It's an incredible garment and I love it.

Do you have a true "standby" that you wear to feel good and look good when you're in doubt?

My standbys are kurtas. Lots of hippies wore these Indian shirts in the '60's and I have about ten that I wear with pajama pants of all colors. You might be interested to know that I travel with folded pieces of fabric instead of dresses. I take about five, five-yard pieces and then I can make a sarong, pants or whatever I feel like wearing. I tie, pin and tuck everything until it looks right.

Since I design jewelry I like to accent those outfits with earrings, brooches, feathers and pins. Another accent that I use is far out colors on my toe nails. Often my toe nails and my hair will match.

What have you held on to for sentimental reasons?

I have an entire collection of clothes from the 1930s, that I will keep forever. I used to wear them, but they've become fragile. Fabrics in those days were terrific.

What is your wardrobe weakness?

Fabrics are my first weakness, especially turban cloth from Asia. And I love earrings. I make them, plus when I go to trade shows, we'll often trade earrings. I probably have about 75 pairs that I wear.

What's the most expensive item in your closet?

My seven Hotknots sweaters. The Hotknots are sisters from California who make wonderful, unusual sweaters that cost $500 to a $1,000 each. They've made a lot of sweaters for the Bill Cosby shows.

What's the least expensive item in your closet?

Probably, my plastic flowers. I glue them on my shoes and around the borders of sarongs.